College News

"Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" Opens Nov. 16

What do a love story, cannibalism and a murderous avenging barber have in common? They are all parts of Steven Sondheim’s musical, "Sweeney Todd: the Demon Barber of Fleet Street," which will be presented jointly by Catawba College’s Theatre Arts Department and the Blue Masque at 7:30 p.m. November 16-19 in Keppel Auditorium on campus.

The eight-time Tony Award-winning musical thriller is based on the 1973 Christopher Bond play and the book by Hugh Wheeler. Packed with murderously funny moments of dark humor, "Sweeney Todd" is the infamous tale of an unjustly exiled barber who returns to Victorian London seeking the lecherous judge who framed him and ravaged his wife. The barber slices a chilling path through the city, feeding his thirst for blood with lyrical eloquence. With him every step of the way is the enterprising Mrs. Lovett whose pie shop downstairs soon has all of London queuing up for her delicious new recipe.

The legend of Sweeney Todd dates as far back as the 14th century and first appeared on stage as a melodrama and morality play in 1847 London. Sweeney Todd is the English bogeyman; the character older children call upon to frighten their friends and younger children. Unruly youngsters are cautioned against misbehaving with threats of being attacked by Sweeney and served up in a meat pie. Playwright Bond changed the old bogeyman story into a morality tale about vengeance, justice and how obsession can destroy good and bad alike. His social commentary which condemns both greed and exploitation is one of the elements which originally attracted Sondheim to musicalize the story.

The production is directed by Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts Missy Barnes with Joey Yow, a junior from High Point serving as assistant director. Junior Lauren Connolly of Moon Township, Pa., serves as stage manager, while sophomore Candace Neal of Waxhaw serves as assistant stage manager.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for non-Catawba students and senior citizens. For more information, call the Catawba College Box Office at 704-637-4481. Group rates are available. "Sweeney Todd" contains adult situations and language. Audience members should “attend the tale” at their own risk.